Brendan Birthday Party #1

I felt really bad about not really having a birthday party for Brendan last year - he had the flu on his 1st birthday and then it was just too hard to reschedule so we just kind of fit it in when we got together with family (poor 2nd child!).  This year I thought we should try to get his parties in before baby comes so he actually gets a party this year. 

On Friday night we had a joint birthday party with his cousin Evan.  Evan was born 3 weeks before Brendan so I'm thinking that joint parties will be perfect!  That and the boys were both born with reddish hair (weird coincidence!).  This year went so much better and it was fun to watch the boys enjoy their party.  They loved the dinosaur cake and had so much fun playing with their presents. 

The birthday boys! 

Thanks Aunt Betsy, Uncle Lee, Lauryn and Evan for the LOUD guitar... paybacks at Christmas time!

Hurry up and open the present Dad!

Hard to believe that my little guy will be turning 2 in a few weeks!  He's becoming so much fun as his personality comes out and he asserts his independence (well sometimes that's fun!). 

Fall Randomness

I finally combined the boys closets and the next day Jackson comes down wearing this - they're Brendan's clothes!  The sad part is is that they kind of fit him ... a tad short but nothing that says he's 2 1/2 years older than Brendan!

Waiting anxiously for the Pumpkinfest Parade to begin.  (by the way, notice he has 2 totally different socks on and of course one of them is pulled up super high!)

Papa had Jackson ride the last little bit of the parade with him on the Borculo Christian float.  Jackson thought it was so much fun but his comment to Luke was "Papa knows LOTS of people"

Brendan waiting anxiously for the parade to begin - he LOVED the candy!

After the parade we had some friends over ... 6 kids 4 and under with 2 more on the way.  Life sure is busy but tons of fun too!

The boys playing in the leaves.

This is a totally random post as I haven't taken a lot of pictures lately.  I guess you could say life has been quite crazy as we are busy with work and the boys and getting ready for the baby.  I can't believe that in less than a month we'll have another little baby around the house.  It's definitely different with this one as I'm getting pretty tired but I guess I do have 2 very active boys around the house this time too!  This little one loves to move and is giving my ribs quite a bruising but as much as it can be uncomfortable at times I know that I'll miss that when she arrives.  We're all anxious to meet her though - no one more than Jackson (surprisingly!).  The other day I told him he was going to spend the night at my mom's and he said "The baby is coming?!" ... I had to tell him that no the baby isn't coming just yet but soon she'll be here.  I think that he's most excited about staying with Gamma and Papa and coming to visit the hospital although we had a practice trip there this week! 

On Monday night Jackson fell and hit the footstool and got quite a gash on the back of his head.  I took him to the hospital and he was a brave boy as he got a staple put in.  I would post a picture but he won't let us get a picture of him.. the little stinker! 

1st Day of Preschool

Jackson had his first day of Preschool on Tuesday.  I was thrilled for him to start but really felt the mommy guilt as I was unable to bring him (seriously ... preschool is not convenient for working moms!).  Thankfully Melissa (our fabulous nanny) was able to bring him and in the long run I think that it was probably better as I'm sure Jackson would've cried for me.  Melissa said that when she dropped him off he was a bit shy but soon found some toys and started playing with the kids.  At first he didn't say too much about preschool but as the evening went on, we found out more details about his first day and he was even singing the songs that they sang there.  He couldn't wait to go back today (although again he was hesitant when he first got there).  I know this is a wonderful experience for him but part of me is sad to know that my Jackson is old enough for preschool - which means school is just around the corner!  Where does the time go?

Crane's Orchard

On Saturday we made our way to Crane's to pick some apples.  When we got there we were excited to find out that we could still pick some peaches and nectarines as well.  The boys sure had their fill of fruit that morning! 

The Boys Room

Sound asleep in bed ... 1st night a success!

Jackson at first fell asleep on the floor - notice all the books and his hats (actually Luke's hats that Jackson now wants) all by him.

Brendan all asleep in the bottom bunk.

It was time - time to get the boys in one room.  I'm anxious to start getting the nursery all ready for the baby.  Brendan has kindly plastered the wall with his handprints as he gets into things in the changing table so the room needs a new coat of paint.  And part of me was anxious to see what the boys would do once they started sharing a room.  We had planned on the boys sharing a room and eventually the race car bed will make it's way into the room so that if a certain Aunt Sara comes to spend the night she can have a bed (plus two roommates now!).  So, last weekend we put Brendan in the bottom bunk after doing a lot of talking up the idea of them sharing a room.  I was surprised that the adjustment was this easy.  My favorite part was the first couple mornings when they'd both be standing at the top of the stairs together in the morning.  It's almost like they've created this new bond with each other as well - not that they don't fight anymore but they have started playing together more often. 

Binder Park Zoo

Feeding the giraffes - there was hardly anyone there so it was perfect!

Brendan was excited to ride the "train" to Africa.  He thought it was pretty cool to sit by himself without a car seat.

And here's our typical Jackson picture - hat sideways and a goofy grin!

Of course there's no way that they'd both look at the camera but they did both want a picture by this bird statue.

Thank goodness Luke comes along to take them into the petting zoo area!  Jackson was brave enough to brush the animals.

On Saturday we decided to brave the weather and head to Binder Park Zoo.  Thank goodness we did as it didn't rain while we were there at all and it felt like we had the zoo to ourselves at first.  In fact, as we drove in, Luke and I both commented that we felt like we were at Wally World because the parking lot was practically empty and the zoo had already been open for an hour!  Betsy, Lauryn and Evan joined us there and the kids loved seeing all the animals and playing together.  Us adults had a lot of laughs too as we watched the kids enjoying their time together. 

Last Vacation of the Summer

An attempted family picture when we went to Grand Haven ... someday we might all be looking at the camera:)

We spent the week before school started at the Conference Grounds with good friends of ours.  It turned out to be a wonderful week to just get away and have some time to relax before the craziness of the school year began.  The weather was great too - we started the week a bit cool but the kids had a great time playing and it was kind of nice because the cottages there don't have air conditioning.  In fact, at one point we turned on the fireplace!  I can't say enough about how perfect it was staying in the cottages at the Conference Grounds - we had plenty of room, felt like we were camping yet were able to have a few more conveniences than we would've had if we would've been in our trailer.  The kids stayed really busy going to Bible school there, playing at the park, playing with their toys outside, and of course swimming.  Jackson has become so much more confident in the water ever since swimming lessons and by the end of the week he was swimming underwater to retrieve toys.  What great memories we made and now we're back to the routines of the school year (at least for 11 more weeks!). 

There are actually moments when Jackson likes to smile for the camera. 

Luke and the boys before Luke's run at the Conference Grounds. 

A priceless picture - Luke in the kitchen!  Although he's making fried mushrooms... Yuck!

Making the tie-dyed shirts

Playing in the sand on our last day at the beach.